CHRISTMAS / Rizdvo 2023

Dear PARISHIONERS + FRIENDS

We look forward to a joyous celebration of The Nativity of Christ. Below is the schedule of services. Tell your friends and neighbours. All are welcome!

As we await the assignment of our new pastor let us do what +Fr. Roman taught us- come to the services (bring your children), sing the carols together and maintain your traditions at home. This year we especially celebrate with our family in Ukraine - praying for peace. Wishing you joy this Christmas.

ДОРОГІ ПАРАФІЯНИ + ДРУЗІ

З нетерпінням чекаємо радісного свята Різдва Христового. Розклад Богослужіння нижче.

Очікуючи призначення нашого нового Пароха, давайте робити те, чого навчив нас + отець Роман – приходити на служби (приводьте своїх дітей), співати колядки і підтримувати свої традиції вдома. Цього року ми особливо святкуємо з нашою Родиною в Україні - молимося за мир на нашій землі та в усьому світі.

А для новоприбулих з України, які сумують за своїми сім’ями – приєднуйтесь до нас. Колядки, молитви та святкування ви почуватиметеся як вдома. Ласкаво просимо всіх!

THEOPHANY / БОГОЯВЛЕННЯ 2024

Friday January 5th
10 am Royal Hours / Царські часи
3 pm Vesperal Liturgy followed by First Blessing of Water in English (indoors)
Вечірня I Божественна Літургія + Водосвяття (в притворі). 
8pm Compline + Vigil of Theophany / Всенічнe

Saturday January 6th
10am  Divine Liturgy - Бож. Літургія  Blessing of Water  (outdoors). Водосвяття укр. мовою, надворі.

Services are scheduled for three days of the feast.  Make every effort to attend. Children are off school. Bring them to church. Служби заплановані на три дні свята .  Цього тижня діти не в школі. Проводьте їх до церкви.

Fasting On CHristmas Eve A Lesson

(available on the parish calendar):

ON THE EVE OF THE NATIVITY (Dec. 24th) we keep a strict fast in the following way: No food is eaten before the Vesperal Liturgy (3 PM), those un- able to attend this service are obligated to keep the fast in solidarity until nightfall. From of old there is a pious custom on Christmas Eve of not eating anything until the appearance of stars. Church books instruct that after theVesperalLiturgy“The faithful prepare a meal cooked with oil. Fish is not eaten, but we drink wine, giving thanks to God.”According to Ukrainian custom, it is accepted to prepare a more lavish meal without meat or dairy products, and to eat abundantly [In some places fish is also eaten]. Besides the kutya (boiled wheat and poppy seeds in honey), a decortion of stewed fruit is prepared with dried plums, pears, cherries, apples and other fruit. These dishes express symbolically the birth (the decoction is usually prepared in times of childbirth), and death of the Saviour (the kutya is cooked for funerals and services for the dead). Though wine is allowed with dinner, it is proper to drink modestly, not being weighed down before returning to church for Great Compline (8PM). -i.r.g.